Rivlin: We have lost a great light

President Rivlin meets with family of Israeli teen who was raped and murdered by Arab terrorist in Jerusalem last week.

Arutz Sheva Staff, 13/02/19 14:47

Rivlin with children from youth center

PR

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin paid a condolence call Wednesday to the home of the family of the late Ori Ansbacher, who was murdered by an Arab terrorist in southern Jerusalem last week.

The president met with the Ansbacher family to offer his condolences, saying, “I do not know many of people whose name became the meaning of their life. I have read a lot about Ori since we lost her. In every story, every memory, there is such great light. She lit up her friends, light shone from her, and she left light behind. In every interview about her, people talk about the light that shone from her. People are going out to walk along the paths that she walked along, people are talking about the good they see around them – and this is a great gift that she gave us without even knowing it.”

Nineteen-year-old Ori Ansbacher was reported missing Thursday morning, and her remains were found in the Ein Yael forest in Jerusalem that night. Her body was found stripped naked, with multiple stab wounds in the upper torso.

A Palestinian Arab terrorist from Hevron, Arafat Arafiah, 29, was later arrested in connection with Ansbacher’s murder. During interrogation he admitted to raping and murdering Ansbacher, and reenacted the murder for investigators.

Ansbacher, a native of Tekoa, had been working at a center for at-risk youth in Jerusalem. Her remains were found in the nearby Ein Yael forest.

President Rivlin spoke with some of the children Ansbacher had worked with at the youth center, and listened as the children shared their memories of her.

“We have lost a great light,” Rivlin said, “but we will not stop lighting more and more lights after her. I want you to know that our hearts and our home are open to you, for you, in whatever way we can help. And you children, keep on doing good, pursuing good and grow up to be good citizens for your own sakes and for our society.”